How far is Mendota, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance from Mendota, CA to Santa Ana, CA is about 267.6 miles (430.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.6 miles (404.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 22m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Monterey County, California, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mendota and Santa Ana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mendota and Santa Ana.
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1
Start on Quince Street
38 m · 11 sec · Quince Street
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2
Turn left onto 7th Street
1833 ft · 1 min · 7th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Derrick Avenue
21.9 mi · 30 min · Derrick Avenue
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4
Take the ramp left
1144 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
127.4 mi · 2 hr 17 min · Westside Freeway
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6
Keep slight right
58.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South
1354 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight left
24.7 mi · 29 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Golden State Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Golden State Freeway
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11
Merge slight left onto Santa Ana Freeway
25.7 mi · 30 min · Santa Ana Freeway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Santa Ana Freeway
1241 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ana Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway, Main Street, Santa Ana
1.3 km · 57 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Main Street North, Broadway
1656 ft · 22 sec
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15
Turn straight onto North Broadway
2613 ft · 58 sec · North Broadway
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16
Turn left onto West 17th Street
684 ft · 26 sec · West 17th Street
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17
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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18
Turn right onto West 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mendota and Santa Ana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Westside Freeway
Merge slight left onto Westside Freeway
127 mi · 02h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Mendota and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mendota to Santa Ana?
The road trip is about 267.6 miles (430.7 km) and usually takes 04h 22m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Greenfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.7 miles from Mendota and 133.9 miles from Santa Ana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.6 miles (404.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:14 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.46 one way or $108.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Mendota and Mostly Sunny near Santa Ana.
Stop Ideas Near Greenfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Greenfield.
Bakersfield
Wasco station
Tehachapi, California
Mojave, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mendota and Santa Ana. Straight-line distance: 251.59 mi (404.9 km).
#1 Mendota
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,427 |
| Coordinates | 36.7535600, -120.3815600 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Santa Ana
The most populous city in Orange County, California and the center of the Santa Ana metropolitan area.
| Population | 331,301 |
| Coordinates | 33.7455700, -117.8678300 |
| Altitude | 35 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 1st Street (-117.86783, 33.745553)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 431 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $54.46 | $108.92 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $57.26 | $114.53 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $58.93 | $117.87 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $71.43 | $142.86 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.